Maryland softball goes 1-1 on first day of Aquafina Invitational

Maryland softball went 1-1 on the first day of the Aquafina Invitational in Florida. The Terps defeated Iowa State, 9-5, and lost to Florida, 7-2.

Maryland’s big inning against Iowa State came in the second, when the Terps batted around and scored five times to take the lead.

Infielder Skylynne Ellazar started the scoring with an RBI walk. Infielder Brigette Nordberg and catcher Anna Kufta followed up with back-to-back hit by pitches to bring in two more runs. Infielder Jacqui Pascual added two more runs on an RBI single to right field.

Sydney Golden threw six innings, allowing four runs on 10 hits and four walks. She prevented the Cyclones from scoring multiple runs in any inning.

Maryland focused during the week on revamping its offensive approach, shortening its swings to produce more hard-hit line drives and less flyouts and strikeouts. The approach worked against Iowa State as the Terps only struck out four times, while hitting four doubles and 11 total hits.

In game two, Florida jumped ahead by scoring three runs in the first inning against Ryan Denhart. The Gators used a two-run double and a sacrifice fly to push the runs across.

Maryland got one of the runs back in the top of the third. Ellazar’s single brought shortstop Mikayla Werahiko around from second base to cut Florida’s lead to 3-1.

Florida had another big inning in the fourth, scoring three times with two RBI walks and an RBI groundout.

Maryland scored another run in the top of the fifth when pinch-hitter Hannah Eslick hit the first home run of her career. The hit was Eslick’s second in six at-bats on the season, both of which have gone for extra bases and brought in a run.

Florida tied Maryland with five hits each, but walks derailed the Terps. All four of Maryland’s pitchers combined for 11 walks.

Right-hander Kelly Barnhill led the Gators. The reigning USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year threw a complete game, fanning nine Terps and allowing only seven baserunners.

Maryland will face Georgia Southern on Saturday before an afternoon rematch with Florida.